UK Politics

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak’s election announcement was drowned out by the sound of Tony Blair’s 1997 general election soundtrack Things Can Only Get Better, by D:Ream.The prime minister’s announcement outside Number 10 of a general election for 4 July was disrupted not only by the rain gradually soaking his suit, but by a protester blaring the song through a loudspeaker. The soundtrack to Mr Blair’s arrival at Downing Street was the last thing Mr Sunak wanted to hear.Rishi Sunak got drenched and was drowned out by the pop song More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak has called a General Election for July 4, saying it was “the moment for Britain to choose its future”.The Prime Minister has gambled that improved inflation figures and a recovering economy will help him overturn Labour’s 20-point opinion poll lead.In a sign that security and the economy will be key battlegrounds, Mr Sunak said: “This election will take place at time when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War.”The “uncertain times” call for a “clear plan”, he said.When will the next election take place?The election will be held on Thursday July 4.What ID will voters need on election day and can you postal vote?Acceptable forms of ID include a passport, driving licence, Proof of Age Standards Scheme (Pass) cards, Blue Badges and some concessionary travel cards. The Government has also said it intends to make veterans’ ID cards a valid form of voter identification after former service personnel were turned away from polling stations at local elections.Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech to announce July 4 as the date of the UK’s next general election More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak has called a snap election for 4 July, following months of speculation about when the country would go to the polls.Previously, chancellor, Jeremy Hunt suggested that the general election could be held in October.And in March, Labour leader Keir Starmer accused Mr Sunak of “bottling” a 2 May general election, which could have been called to coincide with council and mayoral elections being held across the country.Now, it appears the prime minister has decided that improved economic figures and the prospect of flights heading to Rwanda could make up the difference with Labour’s huge lead in the polls.Parties will have up to four weeks to convince Brits to vote for them in the ballots.But why is Mr Sunak calling a snap election now? What significance will the date have on the results? And can we make any reasonable predictions on the outcome?If you have a question on the local elections or, once they come in, the results, submit it now, or when I join you live at 12pm on Thursday 23 May for the “Ask Me Anything” event.Register to submit your question in the comments box under this article.Scroll down or click here to leave your comment.If you’re not already a member, click “sign up” in the comments section to leave your question. For a full guide on how to comment click here.Don’t worry if you can’t see your question – they may be hidden until I join the conversation to answer them. Then join us live on this page at 1pm as I tackle as many questions as I can. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailAfter a day of fervent speculation, Rishi Sunak has finally called a snap general election on July 4.Mr Sunak confirmed the news in a speech outside No 10. Almost upstaged by the rain – and pranksters loudly playing D:Ream’s ‘Things Can Only Get Better’, closely associated with Tony Blair’s 1997 Labour victory – the prime minister reminisced on his time in office, before making the big announcement.Before now, the prime minister had resisted calls to go to the polls, despite constant pressure from the Labour Party to do so over the past year.Follow The Independent’s live coverage for the latest updatesHowever, it is speculated that Mr Sunak had been waiting for an opportune time to make his move. Bolstered by the positive downturn in inflation to 3.2 per cent, it appears his mark has been met.Taking a swipe at the Labour Party, the prime minister said: “I don’t know what they offer”, adding “they have no plan, there is no bold action, and as a result the future can only be uncertain”.Responding to the news, Labour leader Keir Starmer released a video saying “it’s time for change”.“They have failed. Give the Tories five more years, and things will only get worse,” he said.While neither party has released an official election manifesto yet, as they will only come after an election is officially called, both have dropped hints and promises over the course of the past few years, which offer a clue for their vision for the country.See how the parties are doing in the latest polls. Here’s where the UK’s two largest parties stand on some of the key issues:Economic policies have been a focal point of Mr Sunak’s premiership, making up three of the Conservatives’ five key priorities. They are: reduce inflation, grow the economy, and reduce national debt.The first of these aims has largely been achieved, with inflation falling since the pledge was made, from 10.1 per cent to 2.3 per cent, although it is still above the Bank of England’s target of 2 per cent.However, the respected IFS economic think tank has questioned Mr Sunak’s taking credit for the economic good fortune, with director Paul Johnson arguing that it is the Bank of England’s job to cut inflation and that the prime minister’s pledge was always “inappropriate”.The economy has shown signs of growth since Mr Sunak’s pledges were made, with the economy forecast to have grown 0.5 per cent in 2023, and wages rising steadily. However, debt has risen to 89.9 per cent of GDP, up from 85.1 per cent in late 2023, when the prime minister promised to reduce it.Jeremy Hunt delivers a speech on May 17, 2024 More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailNow that Rishi Sunak has set a date for the general election, which of the two main parties is leading on the important questions that will help define who wins the keys to Number 10? The economy – Labour The prime minister hailed today’s news that inflation has fallen as a major moment for the economy and proof that his plan is working. But the truth is he and his party have struggled to recover from the economic disaster that was Liz Truss’s mini-Budget. Experts warn millions of households across the country are struggling with huge mortgage bills after the average two-year fixed rate jumped to more than 6 per cent, although it has since fallen somewhat. On top of a cost of living crisis, British households are on course to be worse off at the end of this parliament than they were at the start of the term for the first time in modern history, economists warned last November. Last week the chancellor tried to turn his fire on the opposition, arguing that taxes would go up under a Labour government. But shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves described that claim as “a bit rich”, with the tax burden under the Tories at a 70-year high. The PM will want to talk up good economic news at this election – but the key question will be, do voters feel it? Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer will now battle it out for the keys to No 10 More